The cabbage white butterfly comes in two varieties: the large white (Pieris brassicae) and the small white (Pieris rapae). The large white obviously is larger (wingspan 50 to 65 mm) than the small white (wingspan 32 to 47 mm). The large white rarely slides the fore- and hindwings on top of one another, which is habitual for the small white. Furthermore, the markings on their forewings differ.
The large white butterfly is very common. It is found in a wide variety of habitats and can turn up almost anywhere, including gardens, meadows and hedgerows. The main foodplant is crucifers. The large white normally has 2 generations each year and over-winters as pupae. In good years, a third brood can be produced.
The large white is the most damaging among the whites in agriculture. The eggs are deposited in groups, hatch quickly and the caterpillars do have an enormous appetite. Not surprisingly, the cabbage white butterflies (both large and small) are not regarded as being endangered.